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Italy's World Cup hopes have been boosted by the news that Fiorentina forward is "making good progress" in his recovery from a knee injury.

It was initially feared that the 27-year-old forward had no chance of travelling to Brazil after suffering ligament damage in the Viola's Serie A clash with Livorno in January.

However, it was then revealed that Rossi should be fit to return to action before the end of the season and although Fiorentina say that no date has been set for his comeback, the Azzurri ace's rehabilitation programme is on schedule.

"Giuseppe Rossi was accompanied by Luke Bongiorno (Rossi's physio) to Vail, Colorado last night [Friday] for a check-up with Professor Richard Steadman," read a statement on his club's official website.

"The tests carried out confirmed that the striker is making good progress in his recovery. Over the coming days a date will be set for Rossi to return to Italy."

Rossi, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament twice during his career, had been the form striker in Serie A before his latest injury, having scored 14 goals in 18 games.